The relationship between Attachment Style and Socio-Demographic characteristics of Pediatric Emergency Department Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective(s): The study aimed to assess the relationship between attachment style and socio-demographical characteristics of nurses working in pediatric emergency departments.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted across 132 pediatric emergency nurses from three pediatric hospitals in 2024. The study utilized a tool comprised socio-demographic characteristics of pediatric emergency nurses and the 15-item Adult Attachment Scale. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26 was used to examine the associations among the measured variables in the study.

Results: There was a significant relationship between the total level of attachment style of nurses in the pediatric emergency departments and their age (P-value = 0.001), marital status (P-value = 0.020); accommodation (P-value = 0.025); nursing qualification (P-value = 0.073); and their years of experiences (P-value = 0.026).

Conclusion: The findings could be the basis for emergency nurses to expand their roles in enhancing children health outcomes to improve their own abilities for adapting positive attachment style.

Recommendations: The present study recommends implementing targeted attachment style training programs (e.g., workshops, Balint groups, narrative medicine) to enhance securing behaviors and compassionate care skills.